British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title

A Nigerian boxer’s dream of defending his title in Liverpool, United Kingdom, is threatened by the British High Commission’s refusal to grant him and his trainer entry visas, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

IF nothing happens between now and March 8, Kareem Yakubu Olaitan’s dream of defending his Commonwealth Super-flyweight boxing title will not be realised. Reason: the British High Commission has refused him and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, visas to enter the United Kingdom. This is despite the fact that their applications were supported with letters from the promoter of the bout, Frank Warren Promotions, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Phillip Brook Smith.

The letter from Warren Frank Promotion shows that Olaitan is to defend his Commonwealth Super-flyweight title against Paul Butler at the Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, UK on March 8. It also shows that the promoter will foot the bills for food, accommodation and round trip airfares for the team.

The letter reads: “Frank Warren Promotions will meet all of the food and accommodation expenses for the duration of their team’s time in the UK as well as the round trip airfares. They will depart Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, 4th March, 2013 and return from the United Kingdom on Sunday, 9th March ,2013.

“During their stay in the United Kingdom, they will be residing at Liverpool City Centre, Vernon Street, Liverpool, 122AY.”

Smith, in a document supporting Olaitan’s application, pleaded with the High Commission to issue the visa.

He said: “I confirm that the above mentioned Mr. Olaitan is the current Commonwealth Super flyweight champion under his ring name of Yaqub Kareem. He has contracted with licensed British Boxing Board of Control promoter Frank Warren to defend his title at the Olympia Stadium, Liverpool of Friday, 8th March, 2013 against current British Super-flyweight Champion Paul Better.

“In order to fulfil this contractual obligation, it will be necessary for a UK entry visa to be granted to Mr. Olaitan and to his Trainer/Second Mr. Olatunji.

“I confirm that Mr. Warren is a licensed promoter of over 30 years standing who has promoted some of the major Championship contests in British during this time, including those featuring well-known boxers, such as Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Nigel Benn, Maseem Hamed, Richard Hatton and very many others.

“The hotel, transport, food, training and accommodation requirements of both named gentlemen will be taken care of by Mr. Warren’s organisation, which will also be responsible for returning both to the airport after the contest date.

“On behalf of the CBC, l kindly request that you deal with both visa applications as expeditiously as possible in order that Mr. Olaitan (and his Trainer/Second) can arrive in the UK with sufficient time to refresh and prepare himself to enable him to take part in this contest, which will be broadcast live on the subscription TV channel Box Nation.”

But the High Commission was not convinced by the recommendations made for Olaitan by the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Frank Warren Promotions and others. It said it was not convinced the boxer had enough ties with Nigeria that would compel him to return after the fight. It said the boxer, despite the fact that he was being sponsored for the trip, must also be personally qualified to receive an entry visa.

The embassy’s rejection letter reads: “In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category, l have taken into account your stated circumstances in Nigeria, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements. You have declared that you are self-employed as a tailor with no fixed income and that you have one child to support. You also state that you are a boxer and wish to defend your boxing title in the United Kingdom. Whilst I acknowledge your statement that your proposed trip to the UK is to be sponsored by your sponsor, I must take into account your personal socio-economic circumstance in Nigeria when reaching my decision. The Immigration Rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa. None of the money being used to fund your trip is your own. I am not satisfied that you have sufficient economic ties to Nigeria to suggest you would not seek to remain in the UK if admitted as a visitor now. Given the statements you have made and the documentary evidence you have presented to support your application, l am not satisfied that your circumstances in Nigeria, coupled with your reasons for wishing to travel to the UK, are such that you have shown your intentions are as stated or that you intend to leave the UK at the end of proposed visit.”

The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, in a statement, yesterday urged the embassy to rescind its decision.

The Board said the High Commission’s decision was capable of derailing Olaitan’s career.

It said: “With this denial of entry visa to Yakubu Kareem and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, the implication is that come the 8th of March, 2013, the British boxer Paul Butler, who happens to be the challenger, would be declared as the new champion without throwing a punch.”

The secretary of the Board, Mr. Remi Aboderin, said: “This is a great injustice and we plead with the sport minister/ministry to please help address this issue before it is too late. The High Commission keeps denying applicants on the basis of the applicants not having sufficient ties or not being economically sound. This boxer needs to be allowed to travel and defend his title; if he is allowed to travel for this fight alone, he stands to earn $7,500.”